Beaded Snowflakes

• 'Tinsel stems' or sparkly pipe cleaners
• Assortment of Beads (with a hole large enough to put a pipe cleaner through.
• Nylon fishline, slim silver elastic cording, or narrow ribbon

1. Tinsel stems are generally 12 inches long; cut them in half. You'll need 3 pieces, 6 inches long, for each snowflake.

2. Twist two stems together, at center, and twist the third stem tight around that.

3. Choose 6 pretty beads that would look especially good clustered in the center (almost like a flower). Slide one bead on one of the points of the snowflake, and then think of how you want your pattern to go from there.

4. As long as you keep the pattern consistent, with all six points matching, anything goes -- after all, no two snowflakes are alike.

5. When you are within about ½ inch of each end, it's time to fasten off. Carefully twist the tinsel stem under and around the last bead; this prevents beads from falling off! One point will invariably be Slightly longer than the others, and that's a good one to attach your tie/loop/ribbon to. Simply bend the tinsel stem over your tie/loop/ribbon just before fastening off.
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